Fri 15 Mar 2019, 18:00
With DK on a seven games winning streak in M1W, was this a good time for the North Midlands Cup Final?
Well I’m sure opinion would have been divided on that question.
Though, within the opening exchanges one could see that it was going to be a hard fought match with both sides showing commitment on both sides of the ball.
It was DK who scored the all-important first try, the ball was moved across the DK three quarter line from right to left out to Charlie Baffour, who beat his opposite number but was immediately halted that began a series of offloads, apologies if I’ve left people out but there were a few, to Matt Squires , then Connah jones, then Kieron Williams, Stef Shillingford almost to the posts, and to Matt Squires who finished the move off under the posts, Sam Vaughan hit the extras 7-0 to DK.
DK were immediately put under the cosh by Bridgnorth, they were awarded a scrum penalty, which was put into the corner, and a period on pounding at the DK line started but the blue line held firm, though with a prolonged period of close range attacks, the offside penalty came. Bridgnorth opted for the scrummage and a couple of drives by their forwards close to the set piece saw Cal Madden crash over for Bridgnorth’s opening try which was converted by Lew Williams, 7-7.
Bridgnorth were soon in the lead via another scrummage penalty slotted by Williams 10-7 to Bridgnorth, there was a fear amongst the DK faithful that the game might be death by a thousand scrum pens, but in fact DK were causing Bridgnorth some problems and came close to adding a second try when Tommy Walker was bundled into touch 5 metres from the Bridgnorth line, this had followed a good run by the impressive James Ryan. The resulting line out saw Bridgnorth secure the ball and clear their lines.
Bridgnorth were once again making field position count, and another penalty for offside was conceded in front of the posts, and Williams had no problem in extending the lead to 13-7.
The screw was being turned by Bridgnorth, and they were camped in the DK half, a Bridgnorth scrum just outside the 22 was shunted back by DK, but no infringement this time, Bridgnorth picked the ball up at the base and brought in the blindside wing and the ball was soon in the hands of Afa Hasilia, who breached the line with the hint of a dummy and was over for their second try, once again Williams made a seven pointer, 20-7 to Bridgnorth.
DK rallied in the final minutes of the half and had started to threaten the Bridgnorth defence, when there was an incident on their 22, a ruck was set up and a Bridgnorth forward came in robustly and connected with head of DK’s Callum Nichols, who immediately fell to the ground holding his head, and had to be helped from the field. It was not seen by any of the three officials.
Half time, the team talks and it the rhythm of the game is stopped and how often things seem different in the new half.
The opening period of the second half DK stayed in the game and kept the score at 20-7, and were starting to force Bridgnorth into conceding penalties and when one was awarded within Sam‘s range he took the shot at goal and reduced the lead to 20-10.
The coaches had the luxury of seven on the bench, and took full advantage during the second half with Mitch Grealey bring his ball carrying into the back row and a reshuffle in the backs saw Ben Brown on at full back. These changes seemed to give DK a renewed vigour and there suddenly was more ball carrying and metres being made. A typical Stef Shillingford run started this phase of the game off, with that cross field angle then straighten through a gap in the defensive line.
Though, Bridgnorth were still posing threats and the DK line came under pressure following a cross field kick, that their left wing caught and brought in field, but some excellent work over the ball by Pete Griffiths secured the ball for DK.
DK worked their way down field and were pressing and had a penalty in front of the posts on the Bridgnorth 22, but a quick tap penalty saw the DK forwards, and Joe Dunn who once again impressed at scrum half, found Sam Vaughan who was now operating at stand-off, the pass was a little high and checked Sam, the cut back was the only option left to him, but the defence had overcommitted to the outside and Sam was able to break back against the grain and was in by the posts, he converted his own try 20-17 to Bridgnorth.
The momentum was now all DK and the forwards were carrying well with Mitch Grealey and Matt Perks constantly making metres.
DK were awarded a penalty just inside the 10 metre line Stef Shillingford asked Sam to kick at goal, a successful kick would have put DK in the lead according to the regulations of the competition, but a good contact send the ball towards the posts but it slipped to right of the posts still 20-17 to Bridgnorth.
Time was now becoming a factor and DK spirits were raised when Will Hancox rounded off a fine individual display with a penetrating run in the final minutes, but Bridgnorth coped with the situation and when they got the ball saw time out well.
Congratulations to Bridgnorth on their first North Midlands Cup triumph, well done.
Though, DK have plenty to take from the game, every player put a shift in and those players who are on the fringes gave the coaches a prod and a huge problem on Tuesday night at selection, I think that could be a long one.
Above all, DK are in a good place with four league games to go, and it is in our hands now for that play off place.
Well I’m sure opinion would have been divided on that question.
Though, within the opening exchanges one could see that it was going to be a hard fought match with both sides showing commitment on both sides of the ball.
It was DK who scored the all-important first try, the ball was moved across the DK three quarter line from right to left out to Charlie Baffour, who beat his opposite number but was immediately halted that began a series of offloads, apologies if I’ve left people out but there were a few, to Matt Squires , then Connah jones, then Kieron Williams, Stef Shillingford almost to the posts, and to Matt Squires who finished the move off under the posts, Sam Vaughan hit the extras 7-0 to DK.
DK were immediately put under the cosh by Bridgnorth, they were awarded a scrum penalty, which was put into the corner, and a period on pounding at the DK line started but the blue line held firm, though with a prolonged period of close range attacks, the offside penalty came. Bridgnorth opted for the scrummage and a couple of drives by their forwards close to the set piece saw Cal Madden crash over for Bridgnorth’s opening try which was converted by Lew Williams, 7-7.
Bridgnorth were soon in the lead via another scrummage penalty slotted by Williams 10-7 to Bridgnorth, there was a fear amongst the DK faithful that the game might be death by a thousand scrum pens, but in fact DK were causing Bridgnorth some problems and came close to adding a second try when Tommy Walker was bundled into touch 5 metres from the Bridgnorth line, this had followed a good run by the impressive James Ryan. The resulting line out saw Bridgnorth secure the ball and clear their lines.
Bridgnorth were once again making field position count, and another penalty for offside was conceded in front of the posts, and Williams had no problem in extending the lead to 13-7.
The screw was being turned by Bridgnorth, and they were camped in the DK half, a Bridgnorth scrum just outside the 22 was shunted back by DK, but no infringement this time, Bridgnorth picked the ball up at the base and brought in the blindside wing and the ball was soon in the hands of Afa Hasilia, who breached the line with the hint of a dummy and was over for their second try, once again Williams made a seven pointer, 20-7 to Bridgnorth.
DK rallied in the final minutes of the half and had started to threaten the Bridgnorth defence, when there was an incident on their 22, a ruck was set up and a Bridgnorth forward came in robustly and connected with head of DK’s Callum Nichols, who immediately fell to the ground holding his head, and had to be helped from the field. It was not seen by any of the three officials.
Half time, the team talks and it the rhythm of the game is stopped and how often things seem different in the new half.
The opening period of the second half DK stayed in the game and kept the score at 20-7, and were starting to force Bridgnorth into conceding penalties and when one was awarded within Sam‘s range he took the shot at goal and reduced the lead to 20-10.
The coaches had the luxury of seven on the bench, and took full advantage during the second half with Mitch Grealey bring his ball carrying into the back row and a reshuffle in the backs saw Ben Brown on at full back. These changes seemed to give DK a renewed vigour and there suddenly was more ball carrying and metres being made. A typical Stef Shillingford run started this phase of the game off, with that cross field angle then straighten through a gap in the defensive line.
Though, Bridgnorth were still posing threats and the DK line came under pressure following a cross field kick, that their left wing caught and brought in field, but some excellent work over the ball by Pete Griffiths secured the ball for DK.
DK worked their way down field and were pressing and had a penalty in front of the posts on the Bridgnorth 22, but a quick tap penalty saw the DK forwards, and Joe Dunn who once again impressed at scrum half, found Sam Vaughan who was now operating at stand-off, the pass was a little high and checked Sam, the cut back was the only option left to him, but the defence had overcommitted to the outside and Sam was able to break back against the grain and was in by the posts, he converted his own try 20-17 to Bridgnorth.
The momentum was now all DK and the forwards were carrying well with Mitch Grealey and Matt Perks constantly making metres.
DK were awarded a penalty just inside the 10 metre line Stef Shillingford asked Sam to kick at goal, a successful kick would have put DK in the lead according to the regulations of the competition, but a good contact send the ball towards the posts but it slipped to right of the posts still 20-17 to Bridgnorth.
Time was now becoming a factor and DK spirits were raised when Will Hancox rounded off a fine individual display with a penetrating run in the final minutes, but Bridgnorth coped with the situation and when they got the ball saw time out well.
Congratulations to Bridgnorth on their first North Midlands Cup triumph, well done.
Though, DK have plenty to take from the game, every player put a shift in and those players who are on the fringes gave the coaches a prod and a huge problem on Tuesday night at selection, I think that could be a long one.
Above all, DK are in a good place with four league games to go, and it is in our hands now for that play off place.
